Manga - Grendizer returns with a new animated series by Manga Productions

By Mulder, 05 august 2023

Manga Productions and Dynamic Planning have announced the launch of the official teaser for the new anime series Grendizer U. The new anime makes its return with a brand-new logo and distinct new characteristics for the main characters. The new Grendizer U anime series is scheduled for release next year on various platforms. The official teaser was screened at the AkibaDaisuki festival in Tokyo and received positive feedback from the audience. Prominent members of the anime and manga community were present, including :
- Mr Go Nagai, Mangaka
- Mr. Ichinao Nagai, Executive Producer of Dynamic Planning
- Mr. Mitsuo Fukuda, Director
- Mr Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Character Designer
- Mr. Ichiro Okouchi, Screenwriter
- Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO Manga Productions

The official teaser will be shown today on the screens of the Japamura stage on Riyadh Boulevard as part of the Gamers8 event. The official teaser is available now on the official "Grendizer U" accounts via @GrendizerAnime.

Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said, "The return of the beloved Grendizer series is exciting news for anime fans around the world. We are proud to distribute this series, which has a rich history and an incredible fan base. Working closely with Dynamic Planning, we look forward to bringing Grendizer U'to both long-time fans and the next generation of viewers."

Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh, Director of Distribution, Marketing and Business Development at Manga Productions, added: "The arrival of Grendizer ' represents a milestone in global anime distribution. As distributor of this series, Manga Productions highlights the diversification and expansion of the anime industry."

The official teaser for Grendizer U revealed the cast, which includes Mr. Go Nagai, the mangaka and creator of Grendizer, director Mr. Mitsuo Fukuda, known for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, and character designer Mr. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, who worked on Neon Genesis Evangelion and Summer Wars. The scriptwriter is Mr. Ichiro Okouchi, known for his work on Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, and the music is composed by Mr. Kohei Tanaka, famous for his work on "ONE PIECE" and "Sakura Wars".

It's worth mentioning that a strategic partnership was established with Dynamic Planning last year, granting Manga Productions licensing rights for products and characters from the Grendizer series. This partnership authorizes the exploitation of the license in theme parks and cities in the Middle East. The first achievement of this partnership was the inauguration of the Grendizer statue in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest metal sculpture of a fictional character, at over 33 meters high.

Known as Gododrak in France, Grendizer  is a huge robot launched in 1975 to save the planet Euphor (Fleed in VO) and help the Prince of Euphor Actarus reach Earth safely and defend it and its inhabitants. It's worth noting that the series received the highest number of views in the Arab world, France and Italy, and has become an icon in the world of animation and manga.

Grendizer is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Go Nagai. It is part of the Mazinger franchise and is one of the iconic mecha (giant robot) series that gained immense popularity in the 1970s. Grendizer follows the story of Prince Duke Fleed (Actarus in some versions), who escapes the destruction of his home planet, Planet Fleed (Euphor in some versions), by the evil forces of the Vega Empire. He arrives on Earth, where he pilots a giant robot called Grendizer to protect the planet from the Vega Empire's attempts to conquer it. Actarus forms alliances with humans, including Koji Kabuto from the Mazinger series, and together they battle Vega's armies and gigantic monsters.

Grendizer is known for its intense and exciting mecha battles. The titular robot, Grendizer, is equipped with powerful weapons and abilities, including the famous "Double Harken" attack, where two boomerang-like weapons are launched from its forearms. Grendizer's design, along with other mechas from the Mazinger franchise, features bold and distinctive aesthetics, with intricate mechanical details and a humanoid form. Grendizer's iconic appearance, including its saucer-like head and red-and-gold color scheme, has made it easily recognizable and memorable. In addition to Duke Fleed/Actarus, other main characters include his allies, such as Koji Kabuto and Dr. Umonji. The series also features memorable villains from the Vega Empire, including King Vega and his son, Prince Zardoz.

Grendizer had a significant impact on popular culture, especially in countries like France and the Middle East. In France, the series became a cultural phenomenon and remains deeply ingrained in the memories of those who grew up watching it. The show's theme song and catchphrases are still recognizable to many. Grendizer's influence can be seen in subsequent mecha anime and pop culture. It helped establish many of the conventions and tropes associated with the mecha genre, such as the piloted giant robot fighting against monstrous foes.

(Source : press release)